Joe Kinsey
It was announced this morning that Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers has passed away at the age of 77. The Chicago Tribune is reporting Sayers had been in declining health due to dementia.
The “Kansas Comet” was inducted into the hall of fame in 1977 after a seven-year NFL career that included 4,956 yards and scored 56 touchdowns. Bears founder George Halas called Sayers “poetry in motion” during the running back’s induction ceremony. “His like will never be seen again,” Halas added.
Sayers, who starred at Kansas before being drafted No. 4 in the 1965 draft, is a member of the NFL 100th Anniversary all-time team even after playing in just 68 career games due to injury including one from a Kermit Alexander hit that Halas mentioned during the 1977 induction ceremony. Halas called it a “clean” hit and noted how Alexander “said how sorry he was that it happened.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent out statement this morning noting Sayers was “one of the finest men in NFL history and one of the game’s most exciting players.”
“We will also forever remember Gale for his inspiration and kindness. Gale’s quiet unassuming demeanor belied his determination, competitiveness and compassion,” Goodell added.
“Each of us excels at different things, sometimes in areas that are only a hobby, more often in our life vocation,” Sayers said during his induction speech. “The most important thing, however, is to strive to do our very best. Nothing is more of a waste than unrealized potential. Sometimes failure to use one’s talents to the fullest is often the fault of the individual.”
Gayle Sayers 1969#Bears pic.twitter.com/rFaclg2TxB
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) March 10, 2020
Gale Sayers was one of the shiftiest dudes to ever lace 'em up 💯 @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/FwiSYZdJsL
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) May 31, 2019
Oh my God. The Kansas Comet passes. My favorite running back of all-time. I was way too young to watch him play, but NFL films filled the void until Marcus Allen hit the scene at USC.
My family is from a town in Illinois just over an hour from Chicago and have been lifelong Bears fans. Gale Sayers and Dick Butkus were their favorite players. No team in the history of the NFL had a better 1st round than the Bears had in 1965 when they chose Butkus with the 3rd overall pick followed by Sayers with the 4th pick. RIP Mr. Sayers. You will always be remembered and revered.
Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo were the first black and white roommates in the NFL. Juxtapose their friendship with the show of unity now. Ask yourself, which of the two generations you would want your children to emulate?